NPP SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP CLINCHED TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP STILL UP FOR GRABS EDMONTON, AB.(September 2)– Only two race dates remain in the $100,000 Northern Provincial Pipeline Late Model Series. Both of those races will be held at Castrol Raceway with the first to be held this Saturday night. Although the 2006 NPP Series championship has already been clinched by Dwight Kennedy, the race to determine who will be the 2006 Edmonton track champion is far from over. “Half of the season was spent on the road at five different race tracks,” indicates NPP tour announcer Gord Craig, “much of the focus has been on Series points this season but there really are two point’s chases that NPP drivers compete in. For the first time ever, there is a chance we could have a different Series champion and home track champion.” Dwight Kennedy takes a slim 47 point lead (Castrol Raceway points) over Trevor Emond into race action this weekend. Even though the Series championship is out of reach, Emond still has his eyes on both point battles. “I can’t win the Series title but holding onto second (Series points) and grabbing the track championship is my focus now.” The Leduc Alberta driver has won the NPP Series /Castrol Raceway track championship three consecutive years. Only one driver has won four consecutive track championships at Castrol Raceway. Current N.P.P. Late Model competitor Kelvin Bell (Hardisty, AB) was a dominant force on the oval track from 1992 to 1995 when he claimed top spot in the Wissota Late Model class. “Kelvin’s a great driver,” adds Emond, “I know he fought hard to win four in a row. It’s been a battle for me to win three in a row in this class. I’ll probably never get another opportunity like this again (to win four consecutive championships).” With two races remaining, Kennedy will try to hold off the driver trying to enter the Castrol Raceway history books. “Race smart and stay out of trouble (the next two races) and hopefully win them both,” says the Edson, Alberta driver, “it’s nice to have the Series championship clinched. Winning the track championship will be the icing on the cake.” Kennedy last won the Castrol Raceway track championship and NPP Series championship in 2001. Right now there are eight drivers that still have a mathematical chance at winning the 2006 Castrol Raceway track championship. The closest in points to Kennedy are Trevor Emond, Darrell Midgley (Sidney, BC) and Gerry Emond (Edmonton). “We’ll have to run the wheels off the car,” says Gerry Emond who finished third in points last season, “we’ve had success in Edmonton and with two races to go anything can happen.” Darrell Midgley is looking for his first ever Castrol Raceway track championship. “The plan is simple. Finish ahead of Trevor, Gerry and Dwight every time I’m on the track. It’s a tall order,” laughs Midgley, “but I’m up for the challenge.” With many positions in the NPP Late Model standings (Series and track) still undecided, the last two events are expected to be the most exciting and intense races of the entire 2006 season.

EMOND EYES FOURTH TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER BIG WIN EDMONTON, AB.(September 10)– Nineteen of twenty-three registered race teams in the $100,000 Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series took to the Castrol Raceway oval track Saturday night. For the fourth time this season a familiar name took the checkered flag in Edmonton. Three-time N.P.P. Series and Castrol Raceway track champion Trevor Emond got by his father Gerry (Edmonton), Jeff Grundberg (Whitecourt) and Dan Stewart (Seba Beach) during the first half of the Feature then set his sights on the race leader, four-time Castrol Raceway track champion Kelvin Bell (Hardisty). As race fans prepared themselves for an exciting five lap dash to the finish, Bell’s driveshaft fell off ending his night. The Leduc Alberta driver took advantage of Bell’s misfortune cruised to victory. “I may not win the N.P.P. Series this year," indicates Emond, "but taking a track championship would cap things off nicely." Emond entered the race only 47 points behind Dwight Kennedy in the Castrol Raceway standings. With the victory, Emond moves to within six points of the Edson Alberta driver with just one race to go. Kennedy struggled in his heat races Saturday night but finished the Feature in the top 10. “Starting at the back (of the Feature) didn’t help me tonight but we made our way up to sixth so I’m fairly happy with that”, says Dwight Kennedy, "one race to go, I want both of them (Series and track championship). Darrel Midgley finished second in the Feature. “It’s nice to be on the podium again,” says the Sidney, BC driver, “but it would have been even better to be able to get the win and the extra points cause’ I’m really needing them now.” With one Feature win in 2006 and now three consecutive podium finishes, Midgley can’t help but look ahead to the last race of the season. “I can’t win the Series Championship now, might as well go for the track championship and finish second in the Series,” smiles Midgley, “it’s pretty simple what we have to do right now. Beat Trevor and Dwight by two or three spots and get the extra points.” Midgley sits just twelve points behind Emond in the Castrol Raceway standings and twenty-three points in N.P.P. Series standings. One driver that could put a wrench into Midgley’s plans is Kevin Wheeler. The former Alberta Outlaw Modified racer had his first ever Castrol Raceway podium finish on Saturday night in a Late Model finishing third. Wheeler showed up halfway through the 2006 season and already is challenging the front runners. “We’ve had a great run the last two months,” indicates the Whitecourt Alberta driver, “without my crew, I wouldn’t be anywhere especially tonight (Saturday). I kinda smacked it up in the heats but they put it back together and got me going. Coming from sixteenth to third in the Feature, that was awesome!” Wheeler purchased the entire racing operation from Cody Graber after the Canada day long weekend. Wheeler grabbed his first ever heat victory in Drayton Valley on August 20th. “I scored a Feature event win in one of my last Modified races here (Castrol Raceway – July 22nd). It would be awesome to grab a big win in this Late Model stock car to wrap up the season. Then begin preparations for 2007.” Only one event remains in 2006 for competitors and race teams in the Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model class. It’s the closest points chase in N.P.P. history. The last time the chase was this close was back in 2001 when Dwight Kennedy grabbed his last track/series championship by just 11 points.

NEXT EVENT
CASTROL RACEWAY - Saturday, September 23rd
Racing @ 6:00PM

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KENNEDY, EMOND OR MIDGLEYEDMONTON CHAMPION TO BE DECIDED SATURDAY NIGHT EDMONTON, AB. (September 20)– The $100,000 Northern Provincial Pipeline Late Model Series wraps up the 2006 season this Saturday night at Castrol Raceway. “We already know who the 2006 Series champion is, that was decided last month.” says NPP tour announcer Gord Craig, “the Edmonton track championship is far from decided. This last race of the year could be a war.” Edson, Alberta’s Dwight Kennedy clinched the Series crown the end of August. The Castrol Raceway track standings have Kennedy with a slim 6 point lead over three-time NPP Series/Edmonton track champion Trevor Emond. “Can’t win the Series, might as well win a track championship,” says Emond who enters action this weekend on a three race winning streak in Edmonton. Emond has an opportunity to enter the Castrol Raceway record books as only the second oval driver in track history to win four consecutive championships. “I was racing Super Stock when Kelvin (Bell) won his four championships (1992 – 1995). Records aren’t easy to come by here (in Edmonton) so when you have the opportunity you gotta grab it.” Hoping for his second Edmonton track championship in five seasons is Dwight Kennedy. “We got the Series wrapped up. Now we have to focus on that track championship,” indicates Kennedy, “the starting position in the Feature is critical right now. We can’t afford to start at the back like we did the last race (Sept. 9th). If we do well in the heats, start sixth or better in the Feature we should be in pretty good shape.” Sitting third in NPP Series and Castrol Raceway track points is Darrell Midgley. The Sidney, British Columbia driver has had three consecutive podium finishes which has allowed him to edge closer to both Kennedy and Emond in the standings. Midgley indicates poor performance at two races this season are coming back to haunt him now. “The season opener in Rimbey and the July 1st race in Edmonton are the only races this year that we did not place in the top 10 in a Feature. I was leading the race and spun (in Rimbey) and got black flagged in Edmonton,” says Midgley shaking his head, “where would I be right now with those extra 70 or 80 extra points?” Midgley has a chance at becoming the first non-Alberta driver to ever win an Oval championship at Castrol Raceway. “That’s not on my mind right now. I intend to run a patient race and be there at the end. Dwight and Trevor are in a battle of their own right now,” smiles Midgley, “maybe I can take advantage of that.” With many positions in the NPP Late Model standings (Series and track) still undecided, the final race of the 2006 season this Saturday night will be one for the record books.

CR RAINOUT EDMONTON, AB. (September 23) - The Saturday, September 23rd oval event at Castrol Raceway has been cancelled due to wet weather conditions. The 2006 season of the Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series is complete.

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KENNEDY CLINCHES CASTROL RACEWAY TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP EDMONTON, AB.(September 30)– Race fans at tracks in Alberta and Saskatchewan were witness to one of the most exciting and intense point chases in the short six year history of the $100,000 Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series. Edson, Alberta’s Dwight Kennedy grabbed the 2006 Series crown and also took the Castrol Raceway track championship. “Previously the Castrol Raceway champion was the Series champion,” explains tour announcer Gord Craig, “for the first time ever the Series went on five major road trips. Half of the 2006 season was spent away from home base (Edmonton).” Kennedy was the dominant driver on the road with five Feature wins. Three-time NPP Champion Trevor Emond was dominant at home winning four Feature events. The Leduc, Alberta driver finished the season just seven points shy of claiming his fourth straight Castrol Raceway track championship. “I missed one race in Edmonton (engine),” says a disappointed Emond, “looking back, all I had to do was show up for points. The outcome would have been different.” Emond has been one of the most dominant drivers since joining the NPP Late Model Series back in 2003. “Winning three titles in a row and now a second against some of the best drivers on dirt, I’m pretty proud of my accomplishments in this class.” New NPP Champion Dwight Kennedy is used to close finishes. Kennedy won the 2001 NPP Championship by just 11 points and has finished in the top four in Championship points since then. “My crew was just awesome for me this year,” says Kennedy, “you couldn’t ask for a better bunch. They helped the #81 Dodge win two in a row on the Canada Day long weekend and win on two race tracks we’ve never competed on before (Lethbridge and Drayton Valley). Trevor put together a string of championships now here’s hoping we can do the same.” Darrell Midgley finished the NPP Late Model season in third position. It was the second time in three seasons that the Sidney, British Columbia driver has finished third in the standings. Midgley feels he could have been this year’s champion if it weren’t for two disappointing races. “The season opener in Rimbey and the July 1st race in Edmonton are the only races this year that we did not place in the top 10 in a Feature. I was leading the race and spun (in Rimbey) and got black flagged in Edmonton,” says Midgley shaking his head, “where would I be right now with those extra 70 or 80 extra points? But I can’t really dwell on that right now I’m just happy we moved up in the standings after where we finished last year (7th).” The Series cannot grow with out new drivers. Altario Alberta’s Kevin Clark is the NPP Series Rookie of the year. “Figuring out the car set up was huge for me,” says Clark, “picking up my first ever heat race win at the last race of the year and finishing the Feature in the top ten several times (four) against these drivers was a huge confidence builder. I’m definitely looking forward to next year.” The NPP Late Model Series competed at a record six race tracks in 2006. Planning has already begun for expansion of the Series to at least three more race tracks in 2007. Officials with the Series are also looking into the possibility of television coverage as a way at to bring Canada’s richest Late Model Stock Car touring Series into the homes of racefans.

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CLARK WINS N.P.P. ROOKIE OF THE YEAR ALTARIO, AB. (September 30)– When rookie driver Kevin Clark first rolled his car off the trailer at Castrol Raceway’s test ‘n’ tune back in April he was extremely excited. “I couldn’t wait to get onto the racetrack and try this new car out.” Unfortunately the day did not go according to plan. “I didn’t even complete one lap,” sighs Clark, “something broke in the rear end”. I thought to myself, if this is what my first season is going to be like I don’t think I’m going to enjoy this.” The season went off a lot better than he had expected. Clark finished just out of the top 10 in points and was also awarded the 2006 N.P.P. Rookie of the Year. “I had zero experience behind the wheel of a race car heading into the 2006 season,” exclaims Clark, “I heard about the series a few years ago. I really enjoy stock car racing (as a fan) so I decided to go up to Edmonton and watch one of their races. The next thing I know I’m getting my car painted and picking a number.” Clark’s first season was not without its lumps. “We crumpled a few fenders that’s for sure,” laugh’s Clark, “being a rookie driver, other race teams offered up advice (car set up) for me and my crew. My first season was a real learning process. We really didn’t get it together until the last 3 or 4 races.” The hard work and patience paid off as Clark scored his first ever heat race win on the last race of the season. “That was nice. It’s too bad we now have to wait till May to go for another checkered flag.” Planning for the 2007 Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series continues. An additional three racing venues are expected to be added to the N.P.P. schedule which could be released as early as January. A new web site to keep race fans up to date on the N.P.P. Series will also be launched before next season as well.